School stuff

Since that first view outside my new window, I had great intentions of taking my camera around on a campus tour and sharing my walk past that castle every morning. Alas, my 18 hour days of learning and writing (and more writing, and more writing!) along with a week of rain have postponed that tour for a few days.

While I won't go into all that I've learned about good intentions (TONS on that topic alone!), I will share a video that was used in a lesson about organizational structures. I was inspired how the combination of something untraditional (a flash mob), something traditional (an iconic song and the voice of Julie Andrews) within a simple organizational structure could create something completely joyful and unexpected. Even if you don't see it as a symbol of organizational potential, it's just plain fun to watch.

New View

The three loyal readers of this humble blog (!) might remember a post from last fall when I talked about the view out my kitchen window. My much dreaded return to dorm life occurred this afternoon when Jeff loaded me, my school stuff, a whole lot of shoes and groceries for the next week into our trusty Echo and headed down the Malahat Highway. It was a tough day and I had a few melt downs along the way. After orientation this evening, I came back to my room and looked out my window (not my kitchen window but my ONLY window!) and replaced the nervous butterflies with a sense of amazement of how lucky I am to be here.Yup- that's a REAL castle and it's where I had my dinner tonight. And right behind it- that's the ocean. I now live ocean front beside a castle. This is real estate I NEVER have a hope of repeating for myself! I'm thinking this three weeks is going to be OK... and that's even before the learning starts.

The Wet Coast

This week, coastal rains perpetuated the nickname most easterners refer to this area of the country. That being said... our garden is a very happy these days, weeds and all.

Down at the local watering hole

When pulling weeds in our backyard, one has to watch out for the scores of birds coming in for happy hour.... or happy 24 hours, as it seems. Word is out in the aviary world that our bird bath really is the best lounge in town.












The scenery from the watering hole certainly isn't bad! The irises are in full bloom, along with the laburnum tree and the first roses. That's a sure sign we're headed from spring into full-on summer.

Cooking with Jeff

Today is Mother's Day. Jeff and I are very fortunate to be the offspring of some very talented and wonderful women. Jeff has inherited his mom's sunny disposition- these two get out of bed with the ability to see all that is bright and good with the world. It's something I'm slowly learning from both of them although anyone who knows me knows it's not my natural state of being (!).

With my days now tied to a book or an internet portal, Jeff has expanded his role from chief dishwasher to sous chef in our kitchen. Sunday brunch has become his specialty- last week it was Eggs Benedict (with hollandaise from scratch!)












and this week, vanilla almond pancakes with fruit. Yummy.

New Rhythm

It's been quiet here on the UnWay as we have moved through some major life transitions over the past three weeks. My commencement of school and the loss of Jeff's beloved Grandpa have put us in rather reflective moods these days. We've been thinking and talking a lot about the whole concept of legacy (both personally and professionally) as we transition into this new phase of life.

School has been tougher than I thought- not just because of the work load (TONS of reading) but mainly because of the challenge of balancing focus and energy. The reading so far has been just excellent and I want to immerse myself in this experience to get as much out of it as I can. Struggles at work have been rather depleting recently and I'm not sure how I am going to find a workable balance. That being said... we will somehow work it out.

In the meantime, we have some beautiful sunny days and blooming lilacs to soothe the soul. After work on Friday, I had coffee with a good friend and just sitting out by the water, watching the float planes come and go, was a very good thing. I'm realizing- I really do need to take time and enjoy life outside my head.